Hinge for a reclosable clamshell container



FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first embodiment of a design for ahinge according to the invention shown in the preferred environment ofconnecting a top and a bottom of a clamshell container (shown inphantom), with the hinge design comprising a fold line in combinationwith a pair of truncated fusiform protrusions.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the first embodiment of thedesign for a hinge shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the first embodiment design for ahinge as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the first embodiment designfor a hinge as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the first embodiment design for ahinge. The left and right sides are identical. Therefore only one sideview is shown.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the first embodiment design forthe hinge taken along line 6—6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the hingeaccording to the invention. The second embodiment is identical to thefirst embodiment except there are three truncated fusiform projectionspositioned coaxially with the fold line.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the second embodiment of thedesign for a hinge according to the invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the second embodiment design fora hinge as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the second embodiment designfor a hinge as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment design for ahinge. The left and right sides are identical. Therefore only one sideview is shown.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the second embodiment design forthe hinge taken along line 12—12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a third embodiment of the hingeaccording to the invention. The third embodiment is identical to thefirst and second embodiments except there is only one truncated fusiformprojection positioned coaxially with the fold line.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the third embodiment of thedesign for a hinge according to the invention.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged top plan view of the third embodiment design fora hinge as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the third embodiment designfor a hinge as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the third embodiment design for ahinge. The left and right sides are identical. Therefore only one sideview is shown; and,

FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the third embodiment design forthe hinge taken along line 18—18 of FIG. 17.

The design according to the invention can comprise one or more truncatedfusiform protrusions in combination with the fold line. It is preferred,but not necessary, that the fold line be coaxial with a longitudinalaxis of the truncated fusiform protrusions. The truncated fusiformprotrusions have substantially continuously curved side walls and arepreferably truncated ellipsoids.

The fold line can be made in any suitable manner and can comprise acontinuous or discontinuous fold line. Preferably the fold line is madeby creasing the material and/or perforating portions of the materialalong the fold line.

Any number of truncated fusiform protrusions can be arranged in anydesired spatial relationship or location along the fold line. Thepreferred configuration comprises evenly spacing the truncated fusiformprotrusions along the fold line. The truncated fusiform protrusions arealso preferably symmetrically located relative to the midpoint of thefold line.

The design for a hinge for a reclosable clamshell container, as shownand described.